Scott Grimes Bio
Scott Christopher Grimes (born July 9, 1971) is an American actor and singer whose career has spanned television, film, and music for more than four decades. He first gained attention as a child performer in the mid-1980s and later became widely recognized for his work on the long-running NBC medical drama ER, the animated sitcom American Dad!, and the Fox/Hulu science fiction series The Orville. Beyond acting, Grimes has built a parallel career as a recording artist, releasing several albums and contributing vocals to projects with Richard Carpenter and Russell Crowe. His range as a performer has allowed him to move comfortably between comedy, drama, voice acting, and music.
Grimes is also a family man who has balanced his professional commitments with personal relationships and fatherhood. Over the years, he has continued to take on diverse roles in Hollywood while remaining active in the music industry, demonstrating a steady presence in American entertainment.
Early Life and Background
Scott Christopher Grimes was born on July 9, 1971, in Lowell, Massachusetts, the son of Pam Grimes and Rick Grimes. He spent the first decade of his childhood in Albuquerque, New Mexico, before his family relocated to Dracut, Massachusetts, where he attended Dracut Public Schools. Growing up in two different regions of the United States gave him an early appreciation for change and adaptability, qualities that would later serve him well in a career that required frequent travel and varied working environments.
Grimes was introduced to the entertainment industry at a young age, beginning his professional acting career in 1983. His early immersion in performing arts helped him develop the vocal and stage skills that would support both his acting and singing careers. He also grew up alongside his sister, Heather Grimes, who later became an actress as well, making entertainment a shared family pursuit.
Family remains a notable part of his personal story. Grimes is the uncle of actress Camryn Grimes, who is known for her roles on the long-running daytime series The Young and the Restless. This connection to a younger generation of performers underscores the family’s ongoing presence in the entertainment industry.
Path to Acting
Grimes began his acting career as a child, and by 1984, at the age of 13, he had co-starred with legendary actor Mickey Rooney in the made-for-TV Christmas movie It Came Upon the Midnight Clear. That same year, he appeared in another holiday television film, The Night They Saved Christmas, signaling an early demand for his talents in family-oriented programming. In 1985, he took on a role in an episode of the revived Twilight Zone series titled “Little Boy Lost,” further establishing his presence on television.
He also branched into genre work early, playing Bradley Brown in the science fiction horror comedy Critters in 1986 and its sequel Critters 2: The Main Course in 1988. During the 1986–1987 television season, he joined the cast of the CBS sitcom Together We Stand, which was later retitled Nothing is Easy. He also voiced Pinocchio in the 1987 animated film Pinocchio and the Emperor of the Night and took on a recurring role as Chad McCann, the love interest of Alyssa Milano’s character, on the popular ABC sitcom Who’s the Boss.
By the early 1990s, Grimes had built a solid résumé of guest appearances and recurring television roles, including a turn on the NBC sitcom Wings. These formative experiences prepared him for the steady television career that would follow, and in 1994 he was cast as Will McCorkle on the family drama Party of Five, a role he would play through 2000.
Scott Grimes Career
Early Career (1983–2000)
Grimes launched his professional career in 1983 and quickly accumulated credits across film and television. His early work included the 1984 television movies It Came Upon the Midnight Clear and The Night They Saved Christmas, both of which showcased his ability to perform alongside veteran actors at a young age. He also made early appearances on episodic television, including a 1985 episode of the Twilight Zone.
His film work during this period included the cult favorite Critters in 1986 and its 1988 sequel, Critters 2: The Main Course. He also ventured into animation with a voice role in the 1987 dark animated film Pinocchio and the Emperor of the Night. As the 1990s progressed, Grimes earned steady television exposure, including his role as Will McCorkle on Party of Five from 1994 to 2000, helping him transition from child actor to adult performer.
Breakthrough (2001–2009)
Grimes reached a major career milestone in 2001 when he was cast as Technical Sergeant Donald Malarkey in the acclaimed HBO miniseries Band of Brothers, produced by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks. The role demonstrated his ability to handle serious, dramatic material in a high-profile production and earned him wider recognition as a serious actor.
He soon followed that success with a role on the long-running NBC medical drama ER, where he portrayed Dr. Archie Morris beginning in 2003. Initially introduced as a recurring character, Morris was promoted to a series regular during the show’s twelfth season, and Grimes remained with the program until its conclusion in 2009. The character provided comic relief in early appearances but gradually took on more central storylines, allowing Grimes to display greater range.
Since 2005, Grimes has also voiced Steve Smith, the lead teenage character on the animated sitcom American Dad!, further cementing his place in American pop culture. His work on American Dad! has also included recurring voice performances such as Midget Assassin and Frat Guy, along with several one-off characters across the series’ run.
Notable Works and Milestones
Beyond his television work, Grimes has continued to take on a variety of film and guest roles, including appearances in the dark comedy Who’s Your Monkey and Ridley Scott’s historical epic Robin Hood alongside Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett. He has also made guest appearances on series such as NCIS and NCIS: Los Angeles, including a 2013 backdoor pilot attempt for a potential spin-off titled NCIS: Red.
Later Career and The Orville (2017–2022)
In 2017, Grimes took on one of his most recognizable roles as Lieutenant Commander Gordon Malloy, the loyal helmsman and best friend of Captain Ed Mercer, played by Seth MacFarlane, on the science fiction comedy drama The Orville. The series originally aired on Fox before moving to Hulu, and Grimes appeared in the show throughout its run from 2017 to 2022. The role allowed him to blend comedic timing with dramatic depth within a science fiction setting, earning him a new generation of fans.
Grimes has continued to expand his television footprint, joining the Peacock comedy series Ted beginning in 2024. He has also remained active as a voice actor, with additional contributions to animated programming and recurring guest appearances on various series.
Scott Grimes Award Nominations
Verified information regarding specific award nominations for Scott Grimes is not available in the sources reviewed. As a result, this section is omitted to avoid speculation.
Scott Grimes Awards Won
Verified information regarding specific awards won by Scott Grimes is not available in the sources reviewed. As a result, this section is omitted to avoid speculation.
Scott Grimes Family
Scott Christopher Grimes was raised in Lowell, Massachusetts, by his parents, Pam Grimes and Rick Grimes. His sister, Heather Grimes, is also an actress, making the Grimes family a multi-generational presence in the entertainment industry. Grimes is the uncle of actress Camryn Grimes, recognized for her work on the long-running soap opera The Young and the Restless. He has a son and a daughter from his first marriage to Dawn Bailey-Grimes, with whom he tied the knot on May 5, 1997.
Personal Life
Grimes married his first wife, Dawn Bailey-Grimes, on May 5, 1997, and the couple had two children together before divorcing. In December 2011, he married Megan Moore; she filed for divorce in October 2017. While attending San Diego Comic-Con in 2018, it was publicly revealed that Grimes was dating his The Orville co-star Adrianne Palicki. The couple announced their engagement in January 2019 and married in Austin, Texas, on May 19, 2019. Their relationship later drew public attention following separations and divorce filings in 2019 and 2020.
Beyond acting, Grimes has maintained a steady music career. He co-wrote and performed the soft rock single “Sunset Blvd,” which peaked at number 18 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart in April 2005. He has released multiple albums, including his 1989 debut Scott Grimes on A&M Records, Livin’ on the Run in 2005, and Drive in 2010. He was also one of four singers in Russell Crowe’s band Indoor Garden Party, further reflecting his ongoing commitment to music alongside his screen work.